Tesla spent more than two years writing and recording their comeback studio album "Into the Now", which is
Tesla's first studio album since "Bust a Nut" released in 1994.
Tesla still features all original members. "Into The Now" is an album with all the classic
Tesla elements and yet incorporates new dimensions to
Tesla's music.
The title track
Into The Now is a smashing opener. It's a heavy rocker with atmospheric guitars and a very atmospheric piano middle play. Troy Luccketta's heavy drumming is a great foundation to this heavy opening track. Some might need to adapt to the sound effects used, but overall this track kicks ass. There's a part, which sounds like scratching a record, but it's made on guitar. The lyrics really say it all, since
Tesla is taking their music
Into the Now.
The heavy rhythm continues on
Look @ Me. The chorus is very melodic and Jeff Keith's hoarse voice makes it typical
Tesla. Another typical
Tesla thing is the use of acoustic guitar, which is featured on the chorus.
Welcome back!
What A Shame is the first track that follows the direct line for their earlier albums. Overall this song captures all the classic
Tesla elements. It changes between acoustic and electric guitars with mellow verse that goes up-tempo for the chorus. The chorus is absolutely among the best on the record and its right up there with the
Tesla's best work. I am sure this ranks among the best songs of 2004.
Heaven Nine Eleven is one heavy motherfucker. The lyrics are very depressing and deal with September 11th. The dark music fits the lyrics. To exemplify the dark mood, the chorus has lines like
"As the World crashes down, heaven is looking better everyday - As the sky turns to brown, there has got to be another way".
Words Can't Explain is another classic hybrid of acoustic and electric and much in the same vein as previous
Tesla's previous work. However, the song still has a year 2004 mark and is another cool song that builds up to the melodic chorus.
The stunning mid-tempo rocker
Caught In A Dream is a great choice as first single, since an incredible strong chorus makes this an earhanger after a few listens. If only radio would embrace this song I would think it could be a hit. The long and diverse chorus makes this a melodic gem.
Caught in a Dream is not a soppy, but is a power ballad with a smell of horse, hay and cowboy boots.
Miles Away is a mix of heavy guitars and mellow acoustic guitars. You tend to think it's a ballad, since the lyrics deal about one being miles away. However, the chorus gets very heavy and the lyrics change view to very dark lyrics. This certainly wins each time you listen and after 1½ month with this album it's slowly turning to one of my favorites. Jeff Keith sings very emotional on the verse until Frank and Tommy fires away in a heavy guitar inferno.
Mighty Mouse is a pure rocker about the mighty mouse coming to save the planet. Heavy dark guitars dominate this, but still the melody is in focus. The track is probably my least favorite, but still a good track, which underlines the high standard of "Into the Now". Without any pause
Got No Glory follows
Mighty Mouse.
Got No Glory is another highlight and once again a great heavy rocker with a fantastic chorus. Nice wah wah solo work on the last chorus.
After a couple of heavy rockers the acoustic driven
Come To Me is a breathing space. It's a well written ballad.
Another example of
Tesla's formula with a mid-tempo verse that goes up-tempo is
Recognize. The all acoustic
Only You is a beautiful album closer. The arrangement of the song has Jeff Keith only accompanied by acoustic guitars and strings. Again the lyrics deal with the screwed up world - but this time with a charming twist, since it's a love song.
Only You is a fantastic ballad with an emotional acoustic solo, where the strings are more up-front.
Compared to other
Tesla albums "Into the Now" has darker lyrics and especially a darker sound.
Tesla has up-dated their sound with use of sound effects and drum loops. All in all "Into the Now" incorporates the modern elements of Jeff and Tommy's band Bar 7, the heavy guitars from Soulmotor - but most of all
Tesla's own style.
The fantastic guitar duo
Frank Hannon and
Tommy Skeoch complement each other perfectly. The many guitar duels are toned down in comparison with earlier
Tesla work. Still it is a purely a guitar based record.
Overall "Into the Now" has everything a Hard Rock album needs in year 2004. Since I am a huge
Tesla fan, it would be impossible to top "The Great Radio Controversy" and "Psychotic Supper", but "Into the Now" is a brilliant come back album and it proves that
Tesla's music is timeless. This consistent album simply brings the band and their fan base "'Into the Now".
Written by
Michael Friday, March 5, 2004
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